'I'M LEAVING!'
Molly Qerim storms off First Take set after heated quarterback debate with ESPN star in eventful return to show
The fan favorite returned to the show on Thursday following a lengthy absence
MOLLY Qerim has only been back on First Take a day - but already she's taking no nonsense from her colleagues.
The anchor, 40, walked off the ESPN set during a heated debate over Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
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Qerim returned to First Take on Thursday following a two-week summer vacation.
She was joined by Courtney Cronin, Harry Douglas, and Bart Scott in the ESPN studios in New York.
And Molly was certainly fired up ahead of her first TV outing of the summer.
Producers asked the panel who they believed was the best quarterback currently playing in the NFC.
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Douglas, a former NFL wideout with 10 years experience in the league, selected Cowboys play-caller Prescott.
"For me, it's Dak," he said. "He's top 2 when it comes to touchdowns, quarterback rating. He's third in passing yards.
"You look at his athleticism and we saw more of that last year. Using his legs to extend plays."
"You think Dak Prescott is the best quarterback in the NFC?" interrupted an incredulous Molly.
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Qerim and Scott added their own suggestions, putting forward Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff.
The segment slowly began to unravel as all three analysts began shouting over each other.
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Molly eventually snapped, asking if Douglas would trust Prescott in a Super Bowl with the "game on the line."
"I got him America!" she yelled, as Douglas fired back, "That's not the question."
"I'm leaving!" Molly eventually shouted, striding off set and watching a portion of the debate from behind the cameras.
Qerim returned moments later as the debate rumbled on into the commercial break.
"Molly is killing them on @FirstTake right now! She’s throwing straight haymakers and no can[sic] ducking or block a single shot," laughed one fan on X in response to the segment.
Molly Qerim's life in the spotlight
Molly Qerim has risen through the ranks to become one of the biggest stars at ESPN.
The popular sports host began her media career in 2006 with ESPN and spent four years with the network.
She then covered college basketball and football for CBS Sports Network in New York.
Qerim balanced that with hosting duties for NFL Network in Los Angeles - fronting NFLAM and NFL Fantasy Live.
The host returned to ESPN in 2015 and immediately took the role of First Take anchor.
And Qerim has been an ever-present, popular host of the daily sports debate show ever since.
"First Take is going OFF today," added another.
"@MollyQerim did not come to play" commented a third.
First Take is still not back up to full strength following its summer hiatus.
Lead analysts Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe remain absent as they enjoy extended vacations.
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Smith is currently angling for a new contract with ESPN and is expected to return to the show on Monday.
You can catch the show tomorrow from 10 am ET on ESPN 2, before it returns to its usual slot on ESPN next week.
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